Introduction and Design:

Two years ago a cell phone with touch sensitive screen were a trendy device. Now, at the end of 2009 they are a dime a dozen and there are even entry level handsets equipped with such a display. Some manufacturers (mostly Samsung and LG really) have taken it to heart to offer at least one handset with touchscreen in every single product class of their cell phone catalogues and the compact Samsung S5560 (also known as Marvel) owns its existence to the this particular policy – it´s a mainstream device that offers more extra features than the popular Samsung Star S5230, but is inferior to the capable Jet S8000. It´s equipped with 5-megapixel camera, 3-inch display and Wi-Fi, but lacks 3G connectivity.

Similarly to all latest Samsung´s handsets with touch-sensitive screens, the S5560 sports three handy buttons on its front – send and end keys and an oddly shaped button that gets you a step back into menus. The 3-inch WQVGA resolution screen above them offers pleasing image quality indoors, although it turns into a proper mirror in direct sunlight and gets uncomfortable to use. It has decent overall sensitivity for a resistive display, but it´s definitely below par alongside of the Samsung Jet S8000.



On the sides you have volume rocker, camera shutter and screen lock/unlock button and we have to say we didn’t have any problems with them. The Samsung S5560 is charged via microUSB slot located on the top side, next to the 3.5mm jack. The back of the phone is matted, has a pleasing shape and allows for proper grip, which is always a definite plus.We quite like the button on the front side. It changes its color depending on the action being performed – red when you quit menus and green if you open the call log or answer incoming calls. All hardware buttons are relatively compact, but have pronounced travel that makes them pretty handy to use.



One of the cool extra features the handset offers is that its design allows for installation of a solar panel. Unlike the Samsung Blue Earth, these are available as additional accessories, meaning everyone who cares about environment will have to show their concern by buying separately.

As a whole, everything about the phone design deserves praise. Aside from being super compact, the handset shows exemplary craftsmanship and doesn’t feel cheap at the very least. It´s predominantly made of aluminium that probably provides a nice degree of physical resistance. We have to say that we do prefer its simple, yet dainty, unisex design to the plastic Samsung Star S5230 or the somewhat childish Samsung Corby S3650.